India gains new ground at Cannes film market

New Delhi, May 28 (UNI) Several Indian films were selected by buyers for overseas territory rights with Indian film content now being accepted in over 50 countries across the world.

The India Pavilion at Cannes hosted by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) projected the country as a hub for shooting location, post production and special effects outsourcing.

Majority of the Indian companies that participated signed up new deals at the world's largest film market.

Films like 'Rang De Basanti', 'Don', 'Hari Om', 'Boom', and 'Friends Forever' were were selected by the overseas distributors.

We made a real break through this year at Cannes. The India Pavilion at the Village International attracted enormous attention among the global cinema circuit,'' said CII National Entertainment Committee Chairman Bobby Bedi.

Theatre owners in Italy, Germany, France, West Asia have come forward to screen Indian movies for the day-and-date release of Indian movies. Over 80 companies, 20 exhibitors and over 45 independent filmmakers from India positioned their products and projects at Cannes.

We got entry into new markets in West Asia Eastern Europe and South America and are very happy to sign up deals with Rapid Eye Movies in Germany,''said UTV VP (International) Ashoka Holla. Karan Johar's Dharma Productions also got leads into new markets for its forthcoming movie 'Kabhie Alvida Na Kehna'.

The International Film Festival of India and Film Bazaar later this year at Goa was promoted at Cannes and generated high interest among international participants.

India was also a talking point at the Producers Network, which was the breakfast hub for over 200 global producers every day at Cannes for networking Producers from UK, USA, Australia, Poland, Canada was keen to work with Indian producers.

Industry leaders said that India should ratify the signed co-production treaty with Italy and UK and sign audio visual treaties with Germany, China, Canada, Australia.

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